63GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
IMPORTANT Sudden braking or
collisions can cause sudden shifts of
the load which could jeopardise the
safety of the driver and the passen-
gers: before you start off make sure
the load is firmly secured.Use metal cables, ropes or straps
strong enough to support the weight
of the load to be fixed.In addition to these general precau-
tions, some simple measures could
enhance driving safety, comfort and
the length of your vehicle’s life:
– distribute the load evenly over the
load floor: if you need to concentrate
it all in one point choose the part be-
tween the axles;
– remember that the lower the load
is, the lower the vehicle’s centre of
gravity will be, contributing to a safe
drive; you should therefore always po-
sition the heavier goods at the bottom;
– finally, remember that the way in
which the vehicle moves is influenced
by the weight being carried. In partic-
ular, stopping distance lengthens par-
ticularly at high speed.
P4Q00568
fig. 83
001-069 Seicento GB 22-11-2007 10:50 Pagina 63
70DRIVING YOUR CAR
STARTING
THE ENGINE1)Ensure that the handbrake is up.
2)Put the gear lever into neutral.
3)Press the clutch pedal fully down,
without pressing the accelerator.
4) Turn the ignition key to AVV and
let it go the moment the engine starts.
If warning lights ¢stay on when the
key is turned to MARturn the key to
STOPand then back to MAR. If the
light does not go off, try with the
other keys.If you are still unable to start the en-
gine, perform the emergency start-up
procedure (see
IN AN EMERGENCY) and
call your Fiat Dealership.
IMPORTANTDo not leave the ig-
nition key at MARwhen the engine is
off.
HOW TO WARM UP
THE ENGINE AFTER IT
HAS JUST STARTED
– Begin to move forward slowly let-
ting the engine turn at medium revs.
Do not accelerate abruptly.
– Do not push the engine to its limit
for the first few kilometres.
D D
R R
I I
V V
I I
N N
G G
Y Y
O O
U U
R R
C C
A A
R R
It is dangerous to let the
engine run in a garage or
other closed area. The
engine consumes oxygen and
gives off carbon dioxide, carbon
monoxide and other poisonous
fumes.
Do not touch the high
voltage cables (spark plug
leads) when the engine is
running.
IMPORTANT Do not press down
the accelerator before starting the en-
gine.
070-082 Seicento GB 22-11-2007 10:50 Pagina 70
71DRIVING YOUR CAR
EMERGENCY START-UP
If the Fiat CODE system fails to
recognise that code transmitted by
the ignition key (instrument panel
warning light ¢on) the emergency
start-up can be performed by using
the CODE card code.
See the
IN AN EMERGENCY. A quick burst on the ac-
celerator before turning
off the engine serves ab-
solutely no practical purpose and
wastes fuel.
IMPORTANTAfter a taxing drive
it is better to allow the engine to
“catch its breath” before turning it off,
by letting it idle to allow the temper-
ature in the engine compartment to
fall.
PARKING
Switch off the engine, pull up the
handbrake and put the car in 1st gear
if the car is pointing uphill, reverse if
downhill.
If the car is parked on a steep gradi-
ent it is a good idea to use a stone or
wedge to block the wheels.
Do not leave the ignition key at
MARbecause it drains the battery.
Always remove the key when you
leave the car. Bump starting by push-
ing, towing or rolling
downhill must be avoided
at all costs. This way of starting
could cause a rush of fuel into the
catalytic exhaust pipe and dam-
age it beyond repair.
Remember that as long
as the engine is not run-
ning, the power brakes
and power steering do not work.
You therefore have to use con-
siderably more effort on both the
brake pedal and the steering
wheel. SWITCHING OFF
THE ENGINE
Turn the key to STOPwhile the
engine is idling.
Never leave unsuper-
vised children in the car.
070-082 Seicento GB 22-11-2007 10:50 Pagina 71
83IN AN EMERGENCY
I I
N N
A A
N N
E E
M M
E E
R R
G G
E E
N N
C C
Y Y
EMERGENCY
START-UP
If the Fiat CODE cannot deactivate
the engine immobilising system, the
¢and
Uwarning lights stay on and
the engine will not start. Follow the
emergency start-up procedure to
start the engine.
Read the whole procedure care-
fully before trying to carry it out.
If you make a mistake, you must turn
the ignition key back to STOPand
repeat the whole operation from the
beginning (step 1).
1)Read the 5-figure electronic code
given on the CODE card.
2)Turn the ignition key to MAR.3)Press and hold down the acceler-
ator pedal. The injection system warn-
ing light
Uwill come on for about 8
seconds, and then go out. At this
point release the accelerator pedal
and get ready to count the flashes of
warning light
U.
4) Count the number of flashes that
corresponds to the first figure of the
code on the CODE card, then press
the accelerator pedal and keep it there
until the
Uwarning light comes on
for four seconds and then goes out;
release the accelerator pedal.
5) The
Uwarning light will start
flashing again: after it has flashed the
number of times that corresponds to
the second figure on the CODE card,
press the accelerator pedal to the
floor and keep it there.
6) Do the same for the remaining
figures on the CODE card. 7) Once the final figure has been en-
tered, keep the accelerator pedal
pressed. The injection warning light
Uwill light up for four seconds and
then go out; release the accelerator
pedal.
8)The
Uwarning light will flash
rapidly for about 4 seconds to indicate
that the operation has been com-
pleted correctly.
9) Start the engine by turning the ig-
nition key from MARto AVV.
If, however, the
Uwarning light
stays on, turn the ignition key to
STOPand repeat the procedure
from step 1.
IMPORTANTAfter an emergency
start, you should contact a Fiat Deal-
ership, otherwise you will have to re-
peat the procedure described each
time you want to start the engine.
083-104 Seicento GB 22-11-2007 10:50 Pagina 83
85IN AN EMERGENCY
BUMP STARTING IF A TYRE IS
PUNCTURED
General instructions
Observe the instructions on this and
the following pages to use the jack and
space-saver spare wheel correctly. The space-saver spare
wheel is vehicle-specific.
Never use the wheel on
other models. Never fit other
model spare wheels on your car.
If you change the type of wheels
(alloy rims instead of steel rims)
you will have to change the en-
tire set of fastening bolts with an-
other set of suitably sized bolts.
Only use the spare-saver wheel
for emergencies. Do not exceed
80 km/h with the spare wheel fit-
ted. When driving with a space-
saver spare wheel fitted, the dri-
ving performance of your car
may change. Avoid accelerating
or braking suddenly, steering
abruptly or fast cornering.
A space-saver spare wheel has a
maximum life of 3,000 km after
which is must be replaced with a
wheel of the same type. Do not bump start by
pushing, towing or coast-
ing downhill. This way of
starting could cause a rush of fuel
into the catalytic exhaust pipe
and damage it beyond repair.
Remember that until
the engine has started
the brake booster and
power steering systems will not
work and a greater effort will
therefore be required to press
the brake pedal or turn the
steering wheel.
Alert other drivers that
the car is stationary in
compliance with local
regulations: hazard warning
lights, warning triangle etc.
Any passengers on board should
leave the car, especially if it is
heavily laden. Passengers should
stay away from oncoming traffic
while the wheel is being changed.
If the wheel is being changed on
a steep or badly surfaced road,
place wedges or other suitable
material under the wheels to
stop the car.
083-104 Seicento GB 22-11-2007 10:50 Pagina 85
103IN AN EMERGENCY
Before starting to tow,
turn the ignition key to
MAR and then to STOP.
Do not remove the key. If the
key is removed, the steering lock
engages automatically which pre-
vents the wheels being turned.
While the car is being
towed with the engine
off, remember that the
brake pedal and steering will re-
quire more effort as you no
longer have the benefit of the
power brakes and power steer-
ing. Do not use flexible cables to
tow. Avoid jerking. Whilst tow-
ing, ensure that the coupling to
the vehicle does not damage the
surrounding components.
The car can be lifted
from the side providing
the hydraulic jack arm is
fitted with a special bracket in
the plate housing.
WITH AN ARM HOIST
Jack up the car by arranging the ends
of the arms in the areas shown in
fig. 45.
IF THE CAR NEEDS
TO BE TOWED
A tow hitch is provided with the car.
To fasten the tow hitch:
1)Take the tow eye from the spare
wheel in the boot.
When towing the car,
you must comply with
the specific traffic regula-
tions regarding the tow hitch and
how to tow on the road.
fig. 45
P4Q00138
From the side
083-104 Seicento GB 22-11-2007 10:50 Pagina 103
111CAR MAINTENANCE
Be very careful under
the bonnet: you risk
burning yourself. Re-
member that when the engine is
hot, the fan can start up and
cause injuries.
ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION
Max. engine oil consumption is usu-
ally 400 grams every 1000 km.
During the beginning of the car’s use,
the engine is being run in. Engine oil
consumption can be considered sta-
bilised only after the first five-six thou-
sand kilometres.
IMPORTANTOil consumption
depends on the driving style and the
conditions of use. IMPORTANT After topping up or
changing the oil, let the engine turn
for a few seconds and wait a few min-
utes after stopping it before you check
the level. Do not add oil with dif-
ferent specifications from
the oil already in the en-
gine.
fig. 2
P4Q01039
Used engine oil and re-
placed oil filters contain
substances which can
harm the environment. We rec-
ommend you have the car seen
to at a Fiat Dealership for the oil
and filter change. It is suitably
equipped for disposing of used oil
and filters in an environmentally-
friendly way that complies with
the law.
ENGINE COOLANT fig. 3
Do not take the cap A of
the reservoir off when the
engine is very hot as you
run the risk of scalding yourself.
The coolant system is
under pressure. If the cap
A requires changing, use
only an original spare part, oth-
erwise the system efficiency
could be affected.
fig. 3
P4Q01040
105-123 Seicento GB 22-11-2007 10:51 Pagina 111
117CAR MAINTENANCE
If the pressure is too low
the tyre overheats and
this can cause it serious
damage.IMPORTANT
As far as possible avoid sharp brak-
ing and screech starts.
Be careful not to hit the kerb, pot-
holes or other obstacles hard. Driving
for long stretches over bumpy roads
can damage the tyres.
Periodically check that the tyres have
no cuts in the sidewalls, abnormal
swelling or irregular tyre wear. If any
of these occur, have the car seen to
at a Fiat Dealership.
Avoid overloading your car: this can
seriously damage wheels or tyres.
If you get a flat tyre, stop immedi-
ately and change it so as not to dam-
age the tyre, the wheel, the suspen-
sion and the steering.
Tyres age even if they are not used
very much. Cracking of the tread rub-
ber and the sidewalls are a sign of this
ageing. In any case, if the tyres have
been fitted for more than six years
they should be examined by an expert
who can judge whether they are still
fit for use. Remember to check the
spare tyre particularly carefully too.
Tyre pressure must be
correct to ensure good
road holding.Wrong pressure causes uneven
wear of the tyres fig. 8:
A - correct pressure: tyre wears
evenly;
B - under inflated tyre: shoulder
tread wear;
C - over inflated tyre: centre tread
wear.
Tyres must be replaced when the
tread wears down to 1.6 mm. In any
case, comply with the laws in the
country where the car is being driven.
fig. 8
P4Q00086
WHEELS AND TYRES
TYRE PRESSURE
Check the pressure of each tyre, in-
cluding the spare, every two weeks
and before long journeys.
The pressure must be checked when
the tyre is rested and cold.
It is normal for the pressure to rise
when you are driving. If you have to
check or restore the pressure when
the tyres are warm, remember that
the pressure value must be 0.3 bar
above the specified value.
See
WHEELSin TECHNICAL SPECIFICA-
TIONSfor the correct tyre inflation
pressure.
105-123 Seicento GB 22-11-2007 10:51 Pagina 117